Salt and light in a dark and decaying world

No preacher or pastor wants to begin a sermon in a pessimistic manner. Furthermore, I am hesitant to begin this article in a negative fashion. However, we don’t benefit anyone now or in the future, by pretending everything is hunky-dory, when in fact, we live on a sin-cursed earth. In Matthew 5:13-16 Jesus stated His disciples were the salt of the earth and the light of the world. This bold assertion contains an unspoken presupposition … that is, we live in a dark and decaying world. As cynical as it may seem, the Lord rightly declared whether the 1st century or the 21st century, mankind is a spiritually depraved cesspool of rotting corruption. If this wasn’t the case, there would be no need for salt and light.

Jesus would adamantly disagree with modern men who suggest civilization is progressing in a positive manner. While it is true, technology, healthcare and education have all improved for centuries; morality, goodness and virtue are not on the increase, but the decrease. Humanity drifts further and further away from godly principles with every passing generation. When warning of the blackness and blight of the last days, Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:13, “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” Spiritual darkness and decomposition continue to spread throughout our nation and the globe. The only thing hindering this iniquitous infection from creeping further is the catalyst of Christianity.

Consider with me briefly, what Jesus meant when He stated His followers were the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Illustrating the influence His kingdom citizens have on this world, the Master Teacher wisely used two very familiar everyday elements; salt and light.

To rightly understand this analogy, you must put yourself in the sandals of the 1st century saint. In Biblical times, the primary use of salt was as a preservative. People living during the time of Christ were totally unfamiliar with refrigeration. No one sitting on that Galilean seaside had a GE or Whirlpool fridge at home. In order to prevent meat from spoiling, it would be salted down, repeatedly. This process has been used for centuries. Perhaps some of you reading this article are old enough to remember salting down meat to prevent it from decaying. In the hot and arid conditions of the Middle East, it was imperative that meat be salted in order to stop it from rotting.

Jesus asserted His subjects are the salt of the earth. Or, simply stated, it is the Christian that prevents the spread of wickedness and unbridled immorality in this world. Without disciples of Jesus, this world would fester and rot. Salty saints promote honesty and morality. It is the presence of born-again believers which helps restrain ethical corruption and advances kindness and decency. Christian influence helps reduce crime and hatred while promoting justice and equality.

However, to act as a preservative, the salt must come into contact with that which is decaying. Salt sitting in a shaker, does nothing to preserve. In other words, the Christian must not quarantine themselves off from the world. Believers have not been called to hide away like monks in a monastery. Rather, we are to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, and go where unsaved sinners are. Jesus was well known as a friend of sinners. While He never condoned sin, yet He always invested time in unbelievers, and so too should His followers. If the salt is not coming into contact with that which is corrupt, it does absolutely no good. Christian, if you are not intentionally and consistently, serving as salt, then you have lost your purpose as a preservative.

Secondly, Jesus declared His followers were also the light of the world. As you are aware, light dispels darkness. Light and darkness cannot coexist. Even a small candle can illuminate a room. Believers should shine brightly as they reflect the glory of Christ into this gloomy world. Jesus said His people should put their light on a candlestick. Not hide it under a basket. How silly indeed for someone to light a candle, then hide it under a bucket! Instead, kingdom citizens are to be like a city set on a hill, that cannot be hidden. The Christian is to let their light shine before men that others might glorify God. Young or old, every believer should live by the lyrics of that old gospel nursery rhyme; “This little light of mine. I’m gonna let it shine!”

If you claim to be a disciple of Jesus; are you a salty saint that is reflecting the light of Christ to a world that is dark and decaying? Understand this, if you are a Christian, this world may hate you, just as it hated Jesus. But your presence, though seemingly small or insignificant, has an important antiseptic effect on society.

As I close, I ask this question; are you saved? Or are you spiritually dead and decaying? Have you seen the blackness of sin, and found forgiveness through the finished work of the Risen Messiah? If not, I point you to Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world.

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